Archive: The Soul of Christmas
About the show
Gospel and Motown-scented soul combined with jazz and a few Christmas classics. It will be a magical atmosphere when Norrbotten Big Band embarks on a sparkling Christmas tour together with Sarah Dawn Finer, Samuel Ljungblahd, and David Michael Wyatt.
Norrbotten Big Band collaborates once again with soul and gospel star Samuel Ljungblahd on the tour “The Soul of Christmas” in December 2024. They have previously done several acclaimed tours together, most recently in 2021. This time they are also joined by one of Sweden's most beloved and appreciated singers – Sarah Dawn Finer. Also on the tour is the American soul artist with the big voice from Texas, David Michael Wyatt.
The event offers music of the highest world-class, with new songs, classic arrangements, and a lot of Christmas spirit.
Joakim Milder, artistic director of Norrbotten Big Band, is already looking forward to it.
– I am very much looking forward to this, it will be a lot of fun. Especially when we get to meet such a large and expectant audience. It feels great to make music with Samuel again and Sarah is just brilliant. Additionally, it's exciting to have David Michael Wyatt with us, it will be very successful, he says.
Sarah Dawn Finer and Samuel Ljungblahd had a similar successful tour together last year. Now they are looking forward to being joined on stage by Norrbotten Big Band and David Michael Wyatt.
Sarah Dawn Finer is already longing:
– It is a great honor and joy to have the opportunity to go on The Soul of Christmas tour with Samuel again. And also to work for the first time with the amazing Norrbotten Big Band. I am looking forward to singing with all of them.
Samuel Ljungbladh agrees:
– I am incredibly happy and excited to once again have the chance to collaborate with the fantastic Norrbotten Big Band. To also do it together with my talented friend and artist colleague Sarah Dawn Finer and additionally spice it up with the vocal virtuoso David from the USA is truly a “dream come true”. Looking forward to meeting you all together with this luxurious lineup!
David Michael Wyatt is also excited:
– To say that I am excited is a huge understatement. Participating in The Soul of Christmas tour with the amazing Sarah Dawn Finer, my friend Samuel Ljungblahd, and Norrbotten Big Band around beautiful Sweden just feels completely “amazing”! It will be a Swedish Christmas with lots of soul and a touch of velvet.
Norrbotten Big Band is a modern big band with deep roots in the jazz tradition and branches reaching towards soul, funk, and contemporary art music. The band has been nominated for a Grammy several times and also nominated for an international Grammy. The artistic director since 2013 is Joakim Milder – saxophonist, composer, and professor of improvisation at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.
Sarah Dawn Finer is one of Sweden's most appreciated and successful singers. She has sung at the biggest galas, in front of royalty, and for over 200 million people in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. In 2005, she released her first EP with her own material and has since released several gold-selling solo albums. She has also achieved great success as a host for acclaimed TV programs such as Melodifestivalen and Så ska det låta.
Samuel Ljungblahd is called Sweden's uncrowned soul and gospel king. He has released several albums, toured, and made numerous acclaimed performances in various TV productions over the years. He perhaps gained the most attention when he sang the recessional at Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's wedding in 2015. He has appeared several times at Stockholm Concert Hall and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and has also collaborated with well-known artists such as Lisa Nilsson, Carola, Timbuktu, and Sarah Dawn Finer.
Michael David Wyatt comes from Houston, Texas. He is known for his impressive falsetto and velvet-like singing voice. In the USA, he has collaborated with big stars like Stevie Wonder and Israel Houghton. Gospel, soul, and R&B are close to his heart, and he has performed for former President Barack Obama.
Wheelchair space including companion can be purchased via tickets@cirkus.se
